Dareu Dream vs. Gateron Quinn
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Quinn switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Quinn offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The Dareu Dream is a linear switch known for its light and easy-to-press feel, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts looking for a balance of quality and affordability. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn stands out for its tactile feedback, providing a crisp and sharp bump with each keystroke, along with a unique, deep sound profile that adds character to the typing experience. If you prefer a smooth and straightforward typing experience, the Dream may be the way to go, while those who enjoy a more tactile and audible typing experience might find the Quinn more appealing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Housing materials
The Dareu Dream and Gateron Quinn both have different housing materials for their switches. The Dream features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, while the Quinn is equipped with a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, leading to a clear and resonant sound profile, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Despite these differences, both materials offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Dream and Quinn use nylon, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to harder plastics. The softer nature of nylon allows for sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This consistency in the bottom housing material showcases a focus on providing a specific sound profile that is deeper and fuller. However, the impact of the bottom housing on the sound when pressing down on the switch may vary slightly between the two models, offering a subtle difference in the overall typing experience.
Overall, the combination of different housing materials in the Dream and Quinn switches showcases a thoughtful approach to creating unique sound profiles. While the top housings differ with polycarbonate and nylon, each offering their own distinct characteristics, the consistency of nylon in the bottom housing ensures a similar deep and full sound experience. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound profile with the Dream's polycarbonate top housing or a deeper, fuller sound with the Quinn's nylon top housing, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience tailored to individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Dream linear switch to the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, it is evident that the Dream is lighter in terms of actuation force at 40 grams, while the Quinn requires 59 grams to actuate. However, the bottom out force for the Quinn is 67 grams, indicating a heavier typing experience compared to the Dream, which has an unknown bottom out force. The lighter actuation force of the Dream may appeal to those who prefer a more effortless typing experience for extended periods, while the heavier actuation and bottom out force of the Quinn may be favored by users seeking a more substantial and tactile typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for typing force and feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, it's evident that the Dream has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Quinn's 3.4 mm. The Dream offers a more traditional feel with a deeper key press, which may be preferred by those who like a more substantial key travel. On the other hand, the Quinn provides a shorter travel distance, which can result in faster response times and is favored by gamers seeking quick reflexes. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their travel distances, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize a deeper key press, the Dream may be the better option, while those seeking a quicker response may lean towards the Quinn.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Dream has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dream for $3.76.
The Gateron Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn for $5.50.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Dream linear switch is known for its clacky sound profile, offering a sharp and percussive noise that adds a bit of flair to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch provides a bassy and resonant sound, giving users a deeper and richer auditory feedback with each keystroke. If you prefer a crisper and brighter sound, the Dream switch might be more to your liking. In contrast, if you enjoy a deeper and more immersive sound, the Quinn switch could be the better choice for you.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Dream linear switch is praised for its easy-to-press nature, requiring minimal force to activate and offering a low-impact typing feel that reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. It also provides a mild typing experience that falls into a safe middle-ground zone suitable for most users. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch boasts a snappy and polished feel, with a bouncy and accented tactile feedback that adds a lively sensation to typing. Additionally, it offers a buttery and creamy typing experience that is smooth, effortless, and uniform. If you prefer a gentle and easy typing experience, the Dream switch might be more up your alley, while the Quinn switch caters to those who enjoy a more tactile and responsive feel.
In conclusion, the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch offer distinct sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences. The Dream switch is ideal for those seeking a light and clacky sound with easy-to-press and mild feel, whereas the Quinn switch is perfect for individuals looking for a bassy and resonant sound with a snappy and polished feel. Both switches provide unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, so choosing between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you desire. Regardless of your choice, both switches are quality options that will deliver a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, consider your preferences and typing needs. If you are looking for a smooth and affordable option that requires minimal force to type on, the Dareu Dream switch is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, a unique sound profile, and a range of tactile sensations such as snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy, then the Gateron Quinn switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your individual typing style and preferences to ensure a satisfying typing experience.
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